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The IOCDF Advocate Program is a volunteer grassroots effort designed to empower those in the community to raise awareness and educate the public about OCD and related disorders.

Led by National Advocates Ethan Smith and Liz McIngvale, PhD, the IOCDF Advocates lead the community in various advocacy projects, such as our OCD Awareness Week initiatives, awareness-raising PSAs, inspirational social media content, and much more.

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Want to become an advocate?

Become an IOCDF Grassroots Advocate

There are so many ways for you to raise awareness for OCD and related disorders. IOCDF has created several different resources and tools for you to help you get started on your advocacy journey. For those interested in joining the Advocacy Program, we invite you to sign-up as an IOCDF Grassroots Advocate. Once you join the program as a Grassroots Advocate, you will receive action items that include invitations to participate in IOCDF Advocate-led projects and events. We invite you to learn more about our Advocacy Program and to check out the resources available to help you raise awareness in your own unique way:

Everyone is invited to become a Grassroots Advocate!

Each month, our IOCDF Advocates will reach out to Grassroots Advocates via our Advocates in Action e-Newsletter, including challenges, projects, and ways you can join them to work together and make a big impact. Examples of Action Items may include:

  • Participate in online (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) social media campaigns
  • Participate in on-site “calls to action" (e.g., conference-based projects)
  • Participate in coordinated national events (e.g., One Million Steps For OCD Walks, OCD Awareness Week events)
  • Contribute to a blog or newsletter feature

Meet The National Advocates

Ethan Smith and Liz McIngvale, PhD lead the Advocates in various initiatives and represent the International OCD Foundation on the national and global levels. They host weekly live streams as part of the IOCDF Livestream Program.

Elizabeth-McIngvale, IOCDF National Advocate

Elizabeth McIngvale, PhD

National Advocate

Ethan Smith

Ethan Smith

National Advocate

Meet The Lead Advocates

The IOCDF Lead Advocates work with the Advocates and provide guidance and mentorship. They develop projects that fall within their interest area, engaging the IOCDF Advocates and IOCDF Grassroots Advocates.

Valerie Andrews, IOCDF Advocate

Valerie Andrews

Lead Advocate

Tom Smalley, IOCDF Advocate

Tom Smalley, MS, CSCS

Lead Advocate

Chris Trondsen, IOCDF Advocate

Chris Trondsen, MS, LMFT, APCC

Lead Advocate

Katie O'Dunne IOCDF Advocate

Katie O'Dunne

Lead Advocate

Meet The IOCDF Advocates

IOCDF Advocates are strong and dedicated leaders in the OCD community. Advocates work together as a group, with direction from their Lead Advocates as well as National Advocates and the IOCDF staff, and serve as a point of contact for those within their community.

Leslie Arturi

Leslie Arturi

IOCDF Advocate

Chris Baier

Chris Baier

IOCDF Advocate

Julia CES

Julia C. E. S.

IOCDF Advocate

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Megan Daily

IOCDF Advocate

Justine De Jaegher

Justine De Jaegher

IOCDF Advocate

Molly Fishback

Molly Fishback

IOCDF Advocate

Epifania Gallina

Epifania Gallina

IOCDF Advocate

Andrew Gottworth

Andrew GottWorth

IOCDF Advocate

Ezra Homonoff

Ezra Homonoff

IOCDF Advocate

Darcy Howell Headshot

Darcy Howell

IOCDF Advocate

Daniel Jones

Daniel Jones

IOCDF Advocate

Katy Marciniak Headshot

Katy Marciniak

IOCDF Advocate

Kyle King

Kyle King

IOCDF Advocate

Melanie Piirainen

Melanie Piirainen

IOCDF Advocate

Kimberley Quinlan

Kim Quinlan

IOCDF Advocate

Krista Reed IOCDF

Krista Reed

IOCDF Advocate

Alexandra-Reynolds-Headshot

Alex Reynolds

IOCDF Advocate

Morgan Rondinelli IOCDF Advocate

Morgan Rondinelli

IOCDF Advocate

Alex Rosenberg IOCDF Advocate

Alex Rosenberg

IOCDF Advocate

SOPHIE-SURI

Sophie Suri

IOCDF Advocate

Maya-Tadross-Headshot-532x570

Maya Tadross

IOCDF Advocate

Adira Weixlmann

Adira Weixlmann

IOCDF Advocate

Hannah Zidansek

Hannah Zidansek

IOCDF Advocate

Kim Vincenty IOCDF Advocate

Kim Vincenty

IOCDF Advocate

Shaun Flores gazes to the side.

Shaun Flores

IOCDF Advocate

Kalista Dwyer Headshot

Kalista Dwyer

IOCDF Advocate

Uma Chatterjee IOCDF Advocate

Uma R. Chatterjee, M.S., MHPS

IOCDF Advocate

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Kyra Cheung

IOCDF Advocate

Summer Contreras IOCDF Advocate

Summer Contreras

IOCDF Advocate

Christina DeMaio IOCDF Advocate

Christina DeMaio

IOCDF Advocate

Jana Hahn IOCDF Advocate

Jana Hahn

IOCDF Advocate

Cassandra Marzke

Cassie Marzke

IOCDF Advocate

Erika McCoy IOCDF Advocate

Erika McCoy

IOCDF Advocate

Brook Miller, IOCDF advocate. International OCD Foundation.

Brooke Miller

IOCDF Advocate

Allie Mills IOCDF Advocate

Allie Mills

IOCDF Advocate

Stacy Quick IOCDF Advocate

Stacy Quick

IOCDF Advocate

Mackenzie Reed IOCDF Advocate

Mackenzie Reed

IOCDF Advocate

Jonathan Shultz IOCDF Advocate

Jonathan Shultz

IOCDF Advocate

Erica Wang IOCDF Advocate. International OCD Foundation.

Erica Wang

IOCDF Advocate